LA KINGS PROSPECT WATCH: Throughout the summer, Frozen Royalty will be taking a look at several of the Los Angeles Kings’ young prospects. In this installment, the focus is on 2010 third round pick, center Jordan Weal. Audio interviews with Weal and Kings assistant general manager Rob Blake are also included.

LOS ANGELES — Center Jordan Weal had a good first season in professional hockey in 2012-13 with the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League, scoring 15 goals and adding 18 assists for 33 points in 63 regular season games, with a +8 plus/minus rating and 38 penalty minutes.

LA KINGS PROSPECT WATCH: Throughout the summer, Frozen Royalty will be taking a look at several of the Los Angeles Kings’ young prospects. In this installment, the focus is on 2013 unrestricted free agent, right wing Scott Sabourin. Audio interviews with Sabourin and Kings assistant general manager Rob Blake are also included.

LA Kings right wing prospect Scott Sabourin getting the upper hand in a fight during Game 2 of the 2013 Rookie Tournament against the Anaheim Ducks on September 9, 2013, at the Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo, California.
(click above to view larger image)
Photo: David Sheehan/FrozenRoyalty.net

LOS ANGELES — Nearly one year ago, a young player, fresh out of major junior hockey in Canada, turned a lot heads during the Los Angeles Kings’ 2013 rookie camp and training camp.

During the rookie tournament that preceded training camp, this player was a standout for his all-around ability, not to mention his willingness to stand up for his teammates.

He continued to impress in pre-season games, sending a noticeable buzz through the crowd at Staples Center in Los Angeles on September 15, 2013, when he used a burst of speed and a nice move to split two defenders near the Phoenix Coyotes (now the Arizona Coyotes)’ blue line and go in on a breakaway. Even though his wrist shot missed wide left, the impression he was making grew exponentially.

LA KINGS PROSPECT WATCH: Throughout the summer, Frozen Royalty will be taking a look at several of the Los Angeles Kings’ young prospects. In this installment, the focus is on 2010 first round selection, defenseman Derek Forbort. An audio interview with Kings assistant general manager Rob Blake is also included.

LOS ANGELES — As it often is for young players making the jump from major junior hockey in Canada to the professional ranks, moving from college hockey to the pros can be very challenging, if not very, very difficult.

LA KINGS PROSPECT WATCH: Throughout the summer, Frozen Royalty will be taking a look at several of the Los Angeles Kings’ young prospects. In this installment, the focus is on 2009 fourth round selection, goaltender Jean-Francois Berube. Audio interviews with Berube and Kim Dillabaugh, who handles goaltender development for the Kings, are also included.

LA Kings goaltender prospect J.F. Berube (left) and Kim Dillabaugh (right),
who handles goaltender development for the Kings, shown here
during a practice session on May 8, 2014, at the
Toyota Sports Center in EL Segundo, California.
Photo: David Sheehan/FrozenRoyalty.net

LOS ANGELES — Back on June 13, 2014, at Staples Center in Los Angeles, more than one hour after the Los Angeles Kings had won the 2014 Stanley Cup Championship by defeating the New York Rangers in Game 5, 3-2 in double overtime, most of the Kings players had retreated into their dressing room as their own, private celebration had begun.

But a few players remained on the ice, soaking in the atmosphere. This handful of players also hoisted hockey’s version of the Holy Grail, but only briefly, and they did not skate with the Stanley Cup at all.

Those players were some of the Black Aces—young prospects who had been recalled during the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Kings’ primary minor league affiliate, the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League, to observe rather than play.

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